A new study published in Spine examines the hospital length of stay for lumbar spinal fusion patients.
The study authors implemented a series of Lean quality improvement events to decrease length of stay after lumbar spinal fusion. There were 458 patients included in the study with the average age of 65 years old.
The program created pathway for spinal fusion patients with an evidence-based electronic order set, patient visualization tool and multidisciplinary communication. After implementing the program, researchers found:
1. Length of stay decreased by half a day from 3.9 days to 3.4 days.
2. Patient discharge disposition improved; 75 percent of the patients were discharged home, compared with 64 percent before the program.
3. The urinary catheter removal rate improved.
4. Patient satisfaction scores were similar before and after program implementation.
5. The study authors concluded applying the Lean methods provided a standardized clinical pathway to improve quality and reduce waste among lumbar spinal fusion patients.
"We believe that quality improvements of this type are valuable for all spine patients, to provide best care outcomes at lowest cost," concluded the study authors.